Creating A Winner: Jamie's Tip of the Month

Be Yourself

I have heard this phrase forever! I remember it being the first thing a pageant trainer told me when I started doing pageants. I remember also thinking how dumb that kind of sounded. I thought, “of course I am going to be myself.” But let me say it in different words. I think if you really think about it in a simplified way then it would make more sense.

I see so many girls get so nervous about their interviews. There is no reason to get nervous for interview. All the judges want to know are things to get to know you better. That is it! They are your answers and no one else’s answers. There is no right or wrong. It is how YOU feel. So answer the questions how you really feel. “Be YOURSELF.”
I do understand that there are some preparations for interview. But do not try and come up with answers that are not what you really feel or think. That is where you will get mixed up. A judge should not judge you for what you say it is more how you say it. Can you handle yourself, can you take the pressure, and can you give positive body language, what is your pronunciation, what is your approach? These are some of the things they look for within your answers.

Be YOURSELF is so over used. But recently that is a good word to use for me. I see so many times when you hear answers that are answers people will say hoping that is what the other person wants to hear. That is not genuine. Wouldn’t you rather be genuine than phony? That is what will help you or make you win. Be genuine. Follow your heart. Hear what it says. You can’t get into trouble that way. When you think to hard on what to say you will get goofed up. Let it be natural. You will feel better about your interview afterwards.

I see so many girls/women learn so much about themselves after going through a pageant because it makes you think of questions that you would never have thought of before. I highly recommend that you go over the questions that I have put together in a wonderful packet. There are questions from every pageant system I have ever judged and pageant video’s that I have watched. After you go through the 350 questions you would be surprised of well you get to know yourself. I like to touch on topics that you would never have thought of and throw you off a bit. I would rather throw you off in your home than standing on the stage. Judges like to see how you handle questions under pressure. So if you don’t know how you want to answer something than take a moment and reflect on the question, take a breath, and Be YOURSELF.

Granted some pageants you have to know a lot of current events and such. Then that will require studying and researching. If you look at video’s of past pageants (which is something I always recommend doing) you will see the questions on current events are asking you what your opinion is on that topic. So know current events, but Be YOURSELF in how you feel about the event.

*People Will Love You For Who YOU Are Inside*